Power strikes in Portland, Palou seals historic IndyCar title

Will Power roared back into the spotlight Sunday, capturing the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland and helping Team Penske dodge its first winless IndyCar season in decades.

The 44-year-old Aussie steered his No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet to a 1.5388-second victory over Christian Lundgaard’s No. 7 Arrow McLaren, notching his 45th career triumph – and his first of 2025.

“It’s a big win for the whole team,” Power said. “We’ve had a rough year… it was a good, hard-fought win. Stoked.”

Alex Palou crossed the line third, but that was more than enough to allow the Spaniard to clinch his fourth NTT IndyCar Series title – and his third in a row – placing him alongside legends Ted Horn, Sebastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti as the only drivers to pull off a three-peat.

With four titles in five seasons, the 27-year-old now sits tied for third on the all-time list with Mario Andretti, Bourdais, and Franchitti, trailing only A.J. Foyt (7) and Scott Dixon (6).

“It’s unbelievable; it’s crazy,” Palou said. “I couldn’t be happier right now… I have no words to describe how grateful I am to everybody at CGR.”

The 110-lap showdown was a strategic chess match, with Power’s early pace on softer Firestone alternates forcing Lundgaard and Palou to chase.

All three pitted within three laps of each other for the final push, but Power held firm, even as lapped traffic closed the gap late. Palou’s off-course excursion on Lap 107 ended his bid for second, clearing Power’s path to victory.

The win tied Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske at 17 series titles apiece — and set the stage for two remaining oval battles to close the season.